Gavier Widén, Dolores
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
The pathology, frequency and diagnostic implications of 'no visible lesion' (NVL) tuberculosis (Tb), i. e. infection with Mycobacterium bovis in the absence of macroscopic lesions, are described in a wide taxonomic range of wildlife hosts. Information collected and evaluated on the definition and occurrence of NVL Tb, histopathological characteristics, post-mortem techniques to detect minimal lesions, and diagnostic difficulties revealed most Tb-infected individuals with NVL had minute tuberculous lesions, which were difficult to see by eye. Acid-fast organisms (AFO) were sometimes detected in the lesions. Ideally, mycobacterial culture of pools of lymph nodes and/or oropharyngeal tonsils is necessary for the accurate diagnosis of Tb in the absence of macroscopic lesions. At a very minimum, the diagnostic methods applied for studying the prevalence of Tb in the population should be clearly described, to allow comparison between studies.
Keywords
Bovine tuberculosis; Mycobacterium bovis; wildlife; Eurasian badger (Meles meles); brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula); cervids; ferrets (Mustela furo); European wild boar (Sus scrofa)
Published in
New Zealand Veterinary Journal
2009, volume: 57, number: 3, pages: 122-131
Publisher: NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY ASSOC INC
SLU Authors
Global goals (SDG)
SDG3 Good health and well-being
UKÄ Subject classification
Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2009.36891
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/49757